Rochester Area Youth Assistance (RAYA) is a non-profit organization of volunteer citizens, assisted by a professional full-time counselor, whose goal is to strengthen youth and families and to reduce the incident of delinquency, abuse and neglect through volunteer involvement.

Professional counseling is available at no cost to young people and their families who live within the Rochester School District. This assistance is free and confidential. Referrals are made by school personnel, police, parents, friends, and younsters themselves.

Programs & Services

CAMP: Scholarships to both summer and school break day and overnight camps are available.

SKILLBUILDING: Skillbuilding scholarships are available to young people in need of financial assistance for a variety of activities.

FAMILY EDUCATION: A variety of programs are provided which facilitate family grown and development, including workshops, guest speakers and parenting classes.

SUMMER RECREATION: June, July and August Rochester children attend low cost or free day camp activites which include arts and crafts, games, skits, swimming, field trips and family picnics.

YOUTH RECOGNITION: A banquet is held each year to honor area youngsters who volunteer their time and talents to serve others in schools, churches and the community at large.

MENTORS PLUS PROGRAM: PEOPLE LISTENING, UNDERSTANDING AND SHARING (PLUS) is a program which matches a young person with a trained adult volunteer for the purpose of companionship and role modeling.